Communications Manager

**About Guide Dogs Victoria**

Guide Dogs Victoria is a leader in breaking down barriers that enable our people to live a life without limits.

Guide Dogs Victoria recognises and responds to the diverse needs and choices of our Clients. We specialise in providing high quality and safe services and supports to people living with low vision or blindness and other disabilities. We are one of Australia’s most trusted charity and an employer of choice in the disability and aged care sectors. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of our employees and volunteers and the benefits this brings to our organisation. Our people enjoy an inclusive and culturally safe work environment free from all forms of discrimination. Guide Dogs Victoria is a place where talent is recognised and innovation is encouraged.

**Communications Manager**

Guide Dogs Victoria has a full time permanent opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team as the Communications Manager in our Marketing Centre of Excellence team that works across Victoria, New South Wales, ACT and leads a number of national initiatives. The Communications Manager is responsible for developing and managing strategies to achieve a high level of brand awareness and engagement from Guide Dogs stakeholders. The Communications Manager proactively plans, develops and executes strategic communications that supports the organisation’s activity, shapes and amplifies the Guide Dogs brand. If you want a purpose-driven role that’s creative and strategic but are also happy to get stuck in and hustle, this could be for you.

**In this role you will be responsible for**:

- Develop and maintain a Communications strategy that addresses key external stakeholders and their key needs;
- Align the Communications strategy with Corporate strategy, Brand strategy and the needs of key internal customers across Guide Dogs;
- Develop measures of success that allow us to track our progress towards strategic goals;
- Deliver the organisation‘s Communications and Engagement strategy to achieve outcomes;
- Maintain strong relationships and ensure timely information sharing;
- Work with a range of external stakeholders, including the development of agency relationships with media and advertising agencies, etc. Agency briefs are clear and agreed in advance.
- A tertiary degree in Marketing, Communications or similar;
- Minimum 7 years’ experience in media or a similar communications role;
- Demonstrable experience of high-impact communications campaigns and integrated communications strategies;
- Experience in the management, leadership, and development of staff.
- An appreciation of the not-for-profit sector;
- Possess a high level of competency in writing for publication and copywriting skills for digital platforms;
- Strong interpersonal skills to establish and manage relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and at all levels;
- A creative mind who looks for innovative ways to achieve media results.
- Experience negotiating with and influencing decision makers.
- High level understanding of the support and services provided by Guide Dogs Victoria;
- A strong client and customer focus and a commitment to person centred service practices;
- A commitment to live the values and behaviours of Guide Dogs Victoria; and
- A strong alignment with the vision of Guide Dogs Victoria in delivering independence to people who are blind or have low vision.

**Benefits that Guide Dogs offer**:

- A competitive remuneration package is available commensurate with skills and experience, which includes tax free salary packaging of up to $18,550;
- 6 weeks paid parental leave;
- Support towards your professional development including paid study leave, educational assistance and an external mentoring program;
- Wellbeing program which includes an annual wellbeing calendar, discounted health insurance, employee assistance program, skin checks and annual flu vaccinations; and
- Reward and Recognition program.

**Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion**:
Guide Dogs Victoria is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and accessibility, and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe to be their true self at work.

**Mandatory Safety Screening Checks**:
All employees are also required to comply with COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their employment, including third dose vaccinations. Vaccination evidence or valid medical exemption must be provided prior your commencement date.

**Make a tax deductible donation before June 30**:

- Your support this tax-time can ensure people like Lucy are matched with their perfect Guide Dog.